The United Democratic Movement on Friday called for hearings into allegations that National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka was an apartheid spy not to be conducted in camera.
The party made the call after it was announced on Thursday that Advocate Kessie Naidu, SC, had been appointed evidence leader to the Hefer commission of inquiry.
”Some political commentators have foreseen a conflict of interest since Mr Naidu had previous dealings with Deputy President Jacob Zuma,” the UDM said.
”It is paramount for the public to make its own judgement on the way Mr Naidu leads the evidence against Mr Ngcuka.
”The whole investigation ought to be conducted publicly and transparently, so that claims made by those wearing balaclavas could be avoided at all cost.”
On September 18 President Thabo Mbeki appointed retired Appeal Court judge president Joos Hefer to investigate allegations of spying against Ngcuka.
The allegations surfaced shortly after it was announced that Ngcuka’s Scorpions unit was investigating bribery allegations against Zuma. The alleged bribery was connected to the country’s controversial multibillion-rand arms deal.
Mbeki asked the commission to determine whether Ngcuka acted as a security or intelligence agent for the apartheid government under code name RS452, or any other.
Hefer must report back to the president within one month of his appointment, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The hearings, which start on October 13, would be held at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. — Sapa